Catch a wave and read the latest news and views from life at sea on cruise ship vacations by syndicated columnists Jim and Barb Fox.

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Friday, January 23, 2015

Canadians dominated
as the hit TV show Dancing with the Stars took to the seas for the Champions
Cruise in the Caribbean.

Brenton Mitchell of
Halifax danced his way to victory, capturing the coveted Mirrorball Trophy
during a week of intense competitions on Holland America Line’s ms Westerdam.

Finalists taking
part in the Dancing with the Stars: At Sea Champions Cruise on the Westerdam.
(Jim Fox photo)

Ian Alldritt of Ottawa
(Nepean) ended up in second place while Caroline Chan from Vancouver was the third
Canadian among 15 finalists.

Dancing with the
Stars: At Sea is one of several innovations Holland America has added to its
entertainment lineup for cruisers.

Along with the B.B.
King Blues Club, the ships have greatly enhanced their stage shows with
professional singers and dancers in the showrooms at sea that have LED rear
projection walls and state-of-the-art digital and laser technology and sound
systems.

Back on the dance
floor, the competitions were intense in the Vista Lounge with standing room
only while a second showroom was opened for the overflow to watch the finals on
video screens.

For the competitors
– selected from cruise guests over the past year on the cruise line’s 15 ships
– the Champions Cruise was no waltz in the park.

TheGrills Inclusive Package
is available for bookings made from now through February
28, 2015.

Grills passengers will enjoy a number of complimentary services
and amenities such as a wine package, Internet minutes, a keepsake
photo, a specialty coffee card, gratuities and an alternative dining
credit. Britannia guests will also have something to celebrate with a 175th Celebration Package offering complimentary Balcony upgrades and Onboard Credit.

(News Release)MIAMI – Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (NYSE/OSE: RCL) will retrofit 19 of its
ships with advanced emissions purification (AEP) systems, underscoring
its commitment to meet or exceed important environmental standards. These
systems, also known as scrubbers, will remove more than 97% of the sulfur
dioxide emissions generated by the ships' diesel engines.

The move will position RCL ahead
of all forthcoming International Maritime Organization Emission Control
Area emissions standards, and will ensure compliance with existing European
Union standards.

Additionally, the decision to install AEP systems instead
of switching to a fuel with a lower sulfur content will ensure that RCL's
ships can be compliant everywhere they sail, as availability of lower-sulfur
fuels is limited.

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. has
been involved in development, testing and planning for the use of AEP technology
since 2010. Two newly built RCL ships that entered into service this year,
Royal Caribbean International's Quantum of the Seas and TUI Cruises'
Mein Schiff 3, were among the first cruise ships to be built with
AEP systems installed during initial construction.

Families can triple their fun with expanded three-story Ropes Course with Sky Rails; Largest Aqua Park at sea; Nickelodeon and
more

MIAMI –
Norwegian
Cruise Line’s largest ship ever, Norwegian Escape, will offer the most
exhilarating and action-packed activities for families and thrill
seekers alike when she sets sail from her homeport of Miami in November
2015.

The ship will feature the largest ropes course
at sea, a three-story multiplex of heart-pounding challenges complete
with two planks and five Sky Rails, zip tracks that allow guests to soar
through the air.

Norwegian Escape’s Aqua Park will be the largest at
sea and includes a new Aqua Racer slide, while
the expansive sports complex boasts a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle
miniature golf course.

Adding to the family fun, Norwegian Escape will
also feature an expanded Kids’ Aqua Park; entertainment from
Nickelodeon, the number-one entertainment brand for kids;
along with the line’s first dedicated nursery for young cruisers two
and under.

Original Love Boat Cast Stars on Float During Iconic New Year’s Day Parade

ANTA
CLARITA, Calif. (January 1, 2015) – The first day of the new year
marked Princess Cruises’ first-ever debut in the iconic 126th Rose
Parade, kicking off the cruise line’s 50th anniversary celebration.

The float, themed “50 Years of Inspiring Travel” was awarded the
prestigious Craftsman Trophy for Exceptional Achievement in Showmanship
and Dramatic Impact.

As a special feature, the six original cast members of The Love Boat
television show rode on the ship’s bow and “cruised” down the
five-and-a-half mile parade route.

In addition to paying tribute to the
television show that made Princess Cruises one of the most famous names
in cruising, the Rose Parade float depicted the line’s newest cruise ship Regal Princess
symbolically sailing through the world’s fascinating destinations and
iconic landmarks that guests have experienced with Princess for the past
50 years.